Question:
Has anyone else had thermolysis type of electrolysis done? I had my first
treatment yesterday but the pain can be overwhelming at times, does it
always hurt that bad? I mean when I was having certain areas worked on it
felt like localized intense burning (which it is), I thought I could handle
the pain. After three very painful zaps, I said that was enough for today.
Does anyone have some good advice on how to keep the pain out of your mind?
I was told about a topical anesthetic cream that will numb your skin enough
to endure the pain. I want some bad... Whats the name and where can I get
it?
Other personal babblings:
I finally excepted who/what I am. I finally got sick and tired of living
someone elses life. I was able to get enough courage to fight for my life
and live it the way I want to live. I gave myself some goals to shoot for
and I have been able to score!
Now if only I can face the fear of coming out to my parents
Answer:
My first 2.5 years of electrolysis were just as you describe:
old thermolysis machine, great pain, after an hour or two, I was
soaked with sweat, fit only to go home and sleep. The treatments
were very effective, no regrowth after 2 or 3 applications to each
root. In later years, I went to another op for touch-up (4 - 5 years
later, and the difference in pain was astonishing...but regrowth was
noticable.) I guess my experience was that the greater the
discomfort, the more effective. Hardly surprising, considering you're
using current to destroy cells.
Pain management: I don't know how my pain threshold compares to others,
it's not something for which most people have metrics. I _did_ find
that exhaling while the current is on mutes it to a managable level,
but that is the most basic martial arts lesson, you _always_ exhale
when you get hit, it turns off some of the pain sensors in the midline.
An ounce of alcohol and three ibuprofen didn't hurt either. But if
that was the standard level of pain, I understand why some therapists
(my first one included) felt that finishing electrolysis was a good
indicator of the tranny's commitment.
In San Diego, several ops have sister-deals with dentists who will numb
you to permit rapid clearing, but I've never done this. One of my friends
who did that has scarring, so it may be that the intensive local clearing
is harder on the healing mechanisms, and the pain holds the invasion
below the damage point. It may also be that she just scars more easily.
Bottom line: it's not something you'll look forward to
